Sampling valve

ABSTRACT

A sampling tube for use in sampling a liquid or fluid, wherein a single valve is in the tube, a universal movable ball in the tube, and liquid or fluid exit at one end of the tube having an opening defining an exit port, the liquid or fluid exit at the one end of the tube including at least two legs extending from the tube having a slot between each of the two adjacent legs for the exit of liquid or fluid. The sampling tube is usable with a sampling valve and comprises a hollow tube having a base at one end for connection to a tank, the sampling tube is movable in the hollow tube for entry into the tank to obtain a sample of the contents of the tank, and the valve includes a housing and a rotatable ball having a central opening for receiving and having the sampling tube pass therethrough, the single valve comprises a mover which includes a spring-biased member for engagement with the universal movable ball and associated with the rotatable ball for moving the universal movable ball away from an end of the sampling tube to permit the liquid or fluid in the sampling tube to exit therefrom, and the fluid or liquid exiting from the sampling tube is withdrawn.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a sampling valve. More particularly, theinvention is concerned with a valve intended for use with gaugingsampling tapes, and which can be used with a sampler device.

BACKGROUND ART

The prior art uses a sampling device which includes a sampler tubehaving an internal ball to sample a fluid or liquid. The sampler tube isconventionally lowered into a fluid or liquid, and the internal ballwhich closes off a bottom opening of the sampler tube rises in responseto fluid or liquid pressure and allows the fluid or liquid to fill thesampler tube as the tube is lowered into the fluid or liquid product.

While it is preferred to use the sampler tube with a liquid, it is alsopossible to use it with all types of fluids. The sampling valve of theinvention is primarily intended for use in connection with liquidhandling.

Specifically, the ball itself does not float on the fluid or the liquidwhen a fluid or liquid is used respectively, but the ball is weighted sothat, as the tube descends, into the fluid or liquid, the fluid orliquid raises the ball sufficiently so that the fluid or liquidcan-pass-by the ball between the ball and the inner wall of the samplertube. After entry of the sampler tube into the fluid or liquid for apredetermined distance, the sampling procedure is then stopped, and theball drops down through the fluid or liquid in the sampler tube andseals the bottom of the tube to prevent any further entry of fluid orliquid into the sampler tube or exiting of the fluid or liquid from thesampler tube. In effect, the ball acts as a check valve.

Sample mechanisms to sample a fluid or a liquid are well known. Oneexample of a prior art sampler mechanism is a sampler tube of theaforesaid type.

However, using the prior art sampler tube can produce a mess because,after the sample is taken, it then becomes necessary to drain thesample, if it is a liquid, into an open container by manually moving theball away from the bottom of the sampler tube closure formed by the balland bottom of the tube and allow the liquid to pour freely into an opencontainer. If a fluid is used, perhaps another means of egress is to beused.

Another problem with the prior art sampler tube is the possibility ofdamage to the health of individuals using the sampler tube due toexposure to irritating liquid as well as other toxic materials vapor.

The sampling devices are generally known as zone samplers. For example,the one-liter sampler is used for use in a four-inch S valve, and thereare half-liter samplers also.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A principle object of the present invention is to remove the liquid fromthe sampling tube in a more elegant manner and to eliminate any mess dueto a pouring of the liquid from the sampling tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sampling valve havinga rotatable ball in conjunction with the sampling tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sampling tube ball inthe sampling tube which functions both as a part of a sampling valve forwithdrawal of a sample of the liquid from the sampling tube and as apart of a closure for the sampling tube.

A feature of the invention is the elimination of a manual draining ofthe sampling tube and to facilitate collection of the sample.

Another feature of the invention is that a user's exposure to possibleirritating liquid vapor is greatly minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sampling portconnected with the sampling tube.

One embodiment of the invention proposes the use of a spring-loadedbutton forming a part of the rotatable ball of the sampling valve andfor movement of the sampling tube ball to permit exit of the sampleliquid from the sampling tube.

The spring-loaded button is one feature which is built into therotatable ball of the sampling valve of what would otherwise be astandard construction ball valve, and it is this spring-loaded buttonthat pushes the sampler tube ball up into the sampler tube to permit theliquid or fluid to exit through the sampling valve. The liquid or fluidcollected in the sampler tube can then flow through either holes drilledinto one side of the rotatable ball, or through slots in the upper sealof the sampling valve, and the manner of exit flow are additionalfeatures of the invention.

The rotatable ball of the sampling valve is provided with a longitudinalopening through which the sampling tube is passed when the samplingvalve is closed. The sampling tube passes through the longitudinalopening for entry from the sampling valve into a tank entry from which asample of the contents is to be taken. The longitudinal opening isaxially aligned with the tank entry and the rotatable ball when in thisposition closes off a port from which the sample contents of the fluidor liquid is withdrawn from the sampling tube through the samplingvalve.

When the rotatable ball of the sampling valve is rotated so that thesampling tube cannot pass through the longitudinal opening, then thesampling valve is opened to permit the sample liquid or fluid to exitfrom the sampling valve either through the rotatable ball itself orthrough the slots in the upper seal of the sampling valve.

With the sampler valve opened, a sample is ready to be taken out throughthe sampling port of the sampler valve either through the rotatable ballor the upper seal. At this time, however, the lower seal of the ballseals off the sampling port from the tank or vessel from which thesample was taken. This procedure is preferred for a sample taken from atank or vessel which has little or no vapor pressure.

For a tank or vessel which has been intentionally pressurized (i.e.,inert gas), special care must be taken and an external control valve isneeded to eliminate blow-out through an otherwise open sample portduring the "sampling valve's" ball transit from the closed end to theopen position. In the open position, the gauging tape attached to thethread end of the "sampling valve" prevents tank pressure blow-out fromthe top of the valve.

When the sample valve is used in conjunction with a "closed" or sealedhand gauging tape, a liquid or fluid sample can be taken withoutexposing the operator to fumes from the product. This is a specialapplication of sampling to which the sampling valve can be applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, the same will now be explained in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a sampler device including a sampler tube andsampler ball to close off the bottom together with a sampling checkvalve according to the invention having a rotatable ball with a centralopening alignable with a tank opening through which the sampler devicecan be lowered into a tank to take a sample of the liquid in the tankand a system for removal of the liquid through slots provided in anupper seal of the novel sampling valve according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows another view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with the sampler tubeshown in its raised position after a sample has been taken and aspring-loaded button in engagement with the sampler ball sealer orsampler ball of the sampler tube for raising the sampler ball or movingthe sampler ball away from the base of the sampler tube and to allow thefluid or liquid to pass out of a port of the check valve, after itpasses through the slots in the upper seal of the sampling valve;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a spring-loaded device having apin to act on the ball sealer of the sampling valve and the upper gasketseal having one or more passageways therethrough of the check valve toallow liquid exiting from the base of the sealer tube to pass around orby-pass the rotatable ball of the sampling valve, and the spring-loadeddevice itself is usable in all embodiments;

FIG. 4 schematically and partially shows another embodiment of thesampling valve with the sampler tube passing through the opening in therotatable ball of the sampling valve according to the invention, andpassageways are drilled through the rotatable ball of the sampling valvefor flow of the liquid or fluid from the sampling tube through an exitport from the check valve, the bottom of the conventional sampler tubebeing omitted;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the FIG. 4 embodiment showing liquid flowpassageways through the rotatable ball and with the spring-loaded buttonrotated ninety degrees from its FIG. 4 position to permit the liquid toexit from the check valve through the rotatable ball to permit drainingof the sample in the sampler tube, and for the sake of simplicity,certain parts in common with the sampler valve of FIGS. 1 to 3 have beenomitted;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that of FIG. 3 of thespring-loaded pin to act on the ball sealer of the sampler tube and canbe used in both embodiments with the ball sealer shown in its openposition raised from its sealing position to act as a seal at the bottomof the sampler tube, with the ball of the sampling valve having liquidpassageways or slots cut therethrough to permit liquid or fluid to exitfrom the sampling device into the sampler check valve and pass throughthe ball of the sampling valve for exiting from the sampler tube andsampler valve;

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the sampler tube and the sampler ballclosing the opening of the base end or lower end of the sampler tube;and

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D illustrate a sampling tube, and FIG. 8Aillustrates an elongated tube, FIG. 8B illustrates a-one-piece ball sealwith slots or passageways at the base for fluid or liquid flow, FIG. 8Cis a bottom view of the one-piece ball seal, and FIG. 8D is a top viewof the sampler tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to the drawings which indicate thepresently preferred best modes for carrying out the invention, and inwhich the same parts in the different embodiments are referred to by thesame reference numerals, there is shown a conventional sampler orsampling device including a sampler or sampling tube 10 having a samplersealing axially movable ball 12 and a sealing ball seat 13 at a base oropen bottom end 16 with peripherally spaced legs 18 forming slots 19therebetween which is the first or entry end for use with a samplingvalve 20 joinable to a storage tank (not shown). Between sampling tube10 and valve seal 13, there is provided an O-ring 14, see FIGS. 7 and 8.Valve 20 includes a bottom housing forming part of an entryway 22 frombase 24 for connection or coupling to a tank containing a liquid whichis to be sampled. Sampler tube 10 which is provided with peripherallyspaced legs 18 form therebetween the slots 19 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8Cfor detail) which form-liquid flow passageways between which the liquidexits from the sampler tube 10 when the sealer or sampler ball 12 isaxially raised in sampler tube 10.

The base 24 is adapted to be connected by conventional means with thetank (not shown) and includes the sampling valve 20 extending from thetop thereof remote from base 24, a hollow vertical tube 26 through whichthe sampler or sampling tube 10 of the sampling device passes. Thehollow vertical tube 26 includes an entryway 28 and an exitway opening30 opening to sampling valve 20. The base 24 has a central opening 32which opens into the tank when base 24 is either connected to the tankby means not shown or rests on the tank. As shown, hollow vertical tube26 has a longitudinal axis which coincides substantially with thelongitudinal axis of the sampler tube 10 and vertical tube 26, exitwayopening 30 and central opening 32 are axially aligned.

Sampling valve 20 includes a valve housing 34 for housing a rotatableball 36 having a central opening 38 coaxial with, in one portionthereof, the closed condition of valve 20, the vertical or longitudinalaxis of the hollow vertical tube 26 through which the sampling tube 10of the sampling device passes from the sampler valve for entry into thetank for sampling purposes. Handle 40 is shown in a horizontal positionin FIG. 1 of the drawing for aligning opening 38 of rotatable ball 36with the hollow vertical tube 26 to permit the sampler tube 10 to passcompletely through opening 38 of the rotatable ball 36, and then throughopening 32 and into the tank (not shown). In this position, the samplingtube 10 of the sampling device can be inserted into the tank and cantake a sample. Handle 40 shown in the horizontal position in FIG. 1, ina second position, which is the open condition of valve 20 and is usedto rotate the rotatable ball 36 through an angle of 90° clockwise fromits open condition to its closed condition to the horizontal positionfor central opening 38 shown in FIG. 2 transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the sampler tube 10 and hollow vertical tube 26 after thesampler tube 10 is withdrawn from the tank (not shown) and withdrawnfrom rotatable sampling valve ball 36 and central opening 38, to closeoff the entryway to the tank through the rotatable sampling valve ball36, and to rotate the ball 36 counter-clockwise to align the centralball opening 38 axially with the longitudinal axis of vertical tube 26so as to receive the sampling tube 10 for insertion into the tank.

Valve 20 also includes a main exit port 42 through which the liquidsample can be taken after it exits from sampler tube 10 and passesthrough sampling valve 20. Exit port 42 may also be provided with aseparate closure (not shown) to control exiting of the sample fluid orliquid from the exit port 42.

When a sampling valve according to the invention is used, it is possibleto provide a special sampling port or other exit ports similar to exitport 42 which is a flow path connected with the sampling tube, and anyconventional control valve or hose can also be connected with thesampling port.

The rotatable ball has coupled therewith a spring-loaded mechanism 44shown at a 90° angle displacement from the axis of the vertical tube 26and orthogonal to central opening 38, see FIGS. 1 and 4. In FIG. 2,spring-loaded mechanism 44 has been rotated clockwise through an angleof 90° for axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of tube 10.

The spring-loaded mechanism 44 is shown orthogonal to central opening38. However, all that is required is that mechanism 44 be provided sothat when sampler tube is withdrawn from central opening 38, therotatable sampling valve ball 36 can be rotated and provide cooperativeaction between sampler sealing ball 12 and mechanism 44 so that sealingball 12 can be moved axially upwards in tube 10 to provide for thesampling liquid to exit from tube 10.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, the sampler tube 10 is shownraised in a position above rotatable ball 36 but resting thereon, and asshown ball 36 has been rotated clockwise through an angle of 90° becauseof the particular placement of the spring load and to move spring-loadeddevice 44 to a position axially aligned with the axes of hollow verticaltube 26 and sampler tube 10.

Spring-loaded mechanism or device 44 is received within U-shaped recessin rotatable ball 36 and includes a pusher member 46 having apiston-type base 48 to cooperate with a compression spring 50 and a tipor pin portion 52 extending from piston-type base 48 for engagement withthe sampler or sealer ball 12 of the sampling device. Compression spring50 seats in recessed opening 54 provided in or cut into rotatable ball36. The recessed opening 54 includes an opening or drain hole 55 forminga fluid or liquid drain hole which is connected with the main exit port42 through a passageway in the rotatable ball 36 formed by centralopening 38. Piston-type base 48 is provided with a center post 56 aboutwhich compression spring 50 surrounds and is aligned with pin 52 ofpusher member 46 for guiding of pin 52 into engagement with the outersurface of sampler sealing ball 12 and exerts pressure against the baseof pusher member 48 for causing pin 52 to be engaged with the surface ofball 12 and to move or raise ball 12 vertically away from the ball seat14 at the base of sampler tube 10 to allow the liquid to exit from thesampler tube 10 through openings or liquid flow passageways 19 betweenperipheral legs 18. Compression spring 50 has one end bearing againstthe underside of pusher member 48 and the other side bearing against thebase 53 of recessed opening 54. Spring type washer 58 is received inrecessed portion 59 and is spring urged into recessed portion 59 forholding spring 50 and pusher member together.

In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, sampling valve 20 includes anupper ball seat 60 preferably formed from TEFLON® having passageways 62cut through to allow the liquid to pass around the ball 36 when the ballis rotated 90° clockwise after the sampling tube 10 is moved out of thesampling valve and moves through pathways 64 in sampling valve 20 asgenerally indicated by the dashed line. The liquid flows out of samplertube 10 through the passageways 19 between legs 18, through passageways62 and pathways 64 to exit through main exit port 42.

A downstream seal or ball seat 66 is used to provide the appropriatesealing, but no pathway is cut through ball seat 66, and TEFLON® seatsor gaskets 60 and 66 are housed within housing 68 of sampling valve 20.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4 to 6 which illustrate thesecond embodiment in which the same reference numerals designate thesame elements in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, and variant embodimentsuse the same reference numeral, but primed.

In this embodiment, rotatable ball 36 is also rotatable through an angleof 90° clockwise or less, as desired depending on the construction, fromthe FIG. 4 position to the FIG. 5 position to align spring-loaded device44' to a position axially aligned with the axis of hollow vertical tube26.

In this embodiment, spring-loaded device 44' includes a separate unitaryelement having a U-shaped casing member 70 receivable within therecessed opening 54 in rotatable ball 36' and includes a center post56'. Casing member 70 includes a recessed portion 59' for receiving aspring-type washer 58 for holding pusher member 46' against compressionspring 50. Compression spring 50 is positioned about center post 56' ina manner similar to that of FIG. 3, and pusher member 46' includes apiston-type base 48' which together with casing member 70 acts as aguideway for the movement of pusher member 46' in a vertical directiontowards and away from sampler ball 12.

Casing member 70 facilitates insertion of spring-loaded device 44' as aunit into the recessed opening 54. Casing member 70 includes an opening71 which opens to opening or drain hole 55.

Referring to FIG. 8, the sampling tube 10 includes a base portion havingan internal thread 72 (FIG. 8A), and a one-piece ball seat 74 (FIG. 8B)having an outer threaded portion 76 for receiving the ball seat 74 atthe portion with the internal threads 72. The ball seat includes thespaced legs 18 which have the slots 19 between each pair of legs 18. Aball stop cross-pin 78 is provided to prevent the ball from progressingtoo high up the column of sampling tube 10.

The top portion of the sampling tube 10 as best seen in FIG. 8d includesan open top 80 having a holder or support 82 extending across the top ofthe sampler tube 10 for holding, carrying and support thereof andleaving an opening at the top for exit of air as the liquid is drawninto the sampler tube.

The hollow vertical tube 26 on the inner portion thereof at the top isprovided with an O-ring 84 when it is withdrawn for sealing with thesampler tube 10, and at the outer portion thereof, the holder or support82 acts as a connection portion for ease of removal of the samplingvalve 20 from the tank.

For the FIGS. 1 to 3 embodiment, specific reference was made to theslotting of the upstream seal or TEFLON® ball seal or seat 60 orequivalent. No detailed discussion was made of the downstream ball sealor seat or gasket 66, and the downstream gasket or ball seat 66 in thesampling valve is a conventional seal and preferably a TEFLON® seat.This is shown on the drawing as well as referred to in thespecification.

For the FIGS. 4 to 6 embodiment, both the downstream ball seal or seat66' and the upstream ball seal or seat 60' are the same and are notprovided with passageways and are preferably formed from TEFLON® orequivalent.

In this embodiment, instead of providing passageways 62 through upperball seat 60, the fluid or liquid flows through slots or passageways 19provided between spaced legs 18 through the central opening 38 from oneor more fluid or liquid pathways 88 which are cut into rotatable ball36' so that fluid or liquid from the sampler tube 10 can pass throughthe pathways or passageways 88 and through the central opening 38 asschematically shown by dashed flow pathway lines 80 in FIGS. 4 to 6 whenthe ball 36 is rotated from its FIG. 4 position to its FIG. 5 position.When the tip or pin portion 52 is aligned with the sampler ball 12 it ismoved away from the opening and the liquid can pass through passageways88 and along the pathway 80 through central opening 38 and out of port42. Also, liquid which exits from opening 71 and through opening 55 (seeFIG. 6) into the central opening merges with the liquid or fluid flowingthrough passageways 88. These passageways 88, as noted heretofore, arecut through the surface of rotatable ball 36' and through the ball andinto central opening 38.

In the FIGS. 1 to 3 embodiment, the liquid which flows through openingor drain hole 55, such liquid can flow out either through passagewayssimilar to passageways 88 or through a passageway (not shown) directlyinto central opening 38 or the liquid can flow directly from drain hole55 as shown into central opening 38.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The sampling tube 10 includes the holder or support 82 which is used asan attachment or connector portion for connection with a tape (notshown) of a closed sampling tube. Hollow vertical tube 26 includes anoutside connector ring 86 for connection with the housing (not shown) ofa sampling tube assembly.

With respect to the sampling valve and sampler tube 10 and the samplerball 12, the liquid or fluid pressure in the tank from which a sample istaken must be sufficient to raise the ball 12 between the legs 18 abovethe inlet; by the same token, the fluid or liquid pressure in samplertube 10 and the weight of the ball is sufficient to seat the ball 12 atthe outlet of the sampler tube 10 after a sample is taken.

The sampling valve uses a standard ball valve, and the 90° turn merelyis a one-quarter turn, and as noted heretofore, a turn of lesser orgreater than 90° will be operative.

The base of the sampler tube, as noted, includes legs so that there isspacing or slots 19 between the base of the sampler tube and the legs.The liquid would then run out between the base of the sampler tube andthe sampler ball valve after the sampler ball is raised and preventclogging.

While hollow vertical tube 26 and base 24 are shown integral and formedas a unit as part of the sampling valve 20, these may be separateelements which are connectable together with the valve housing 34.

I claim:
 1. A sampling valve for use with a sampling device having a sampler tube and a sampler ball to close off an end of the sampler tube which is adapted to enter a tank to obtain a sample of the contents of the tank, said valve comprising:a housing and a rotatable ball in said housing, said rotatable ball having a central opening for receiving and having the sampler tube pass therethrough; moving means including spring-biased means for engagement with said sampler ball associated with said rotatable ball for moving said sampler ball away from an end of said sampler tube to permit the liquid or fluid in said sampler tube to exit therefrom; and means for withdrawing the fluid or liquid exiting from said sampler tube.
 2. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said withdrawing means includes an upstream ball seat in said housing having pathways cut thereinto to permit the liquid or fluid to flow between said rotatable ball and said ball seat.
 3. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said moving means includes an opening in said rotatable ball, engagement means receivable within said opening for engagement with said sampler ball, a post connected with said engagement means and a compression spring guided by said post towards said sampler ball for moving said sampler ball away from the end of said sampler tube.
 4. The sampling valve according to claim 3, wherein said means for withdrawing includes an upstream ball seat in said housing having pathways cut thereinto to permit the liquid or fluid to flow between said rotatable ball and said ball seat.
 5. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing includes pathways cut into said rotatable ball through which the liquid or fluid from said sample tube passes.
 6. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing includes an opening in said rotatable ball for receiving said spring-biased means, and an opening communicating with an exit from the sampler tube through which liquid or fluid from the sampler tube passes by the spring-biased means through said rotatable ball.
 7. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing includes at least one pathway cut through said rotatable ball through which the liquid or fluid exiting from said sample tube passes.
 8. The sampling valve according to claim 1, wherein said moving means includes a casing member having a base and a pusher member having a center post extending substantially orthogonally therefrom, and a compression spring having one end in contact with said base and the other end in contact with said pusher member for urging said pusher member into engagement with the sampler ball, and said rotatable ball having a central opening for receiving said casing member.
 9. The sampling valve according to claim 8, including a spring washer receivable in said casing for holding said pusher member against said spring in said casing member.
 10. The sampling valve according to claim 8, wherein said means for withdrawing includes an upstream ball seat in said housing having at least one pathway cut thereinto to permit the liquid to flow between said rotatable ball and said ball seat.
 11. The sampling valve according to claim 8, wherein said casing member includes in the base thereof a casing opening through which the liquid or fluid from said sample tube passes and said rotatable ball includes an opening through which said liquid or fluid passes after exiting from said casing opening.
 12. The sampling valve according to claim 1, including an exit port coupled with said housing for withdrawing the liquid or fluid exiting from said sampler tube and moving through said housing for exiting from said exit port.
 13. The sampling valve according to claim 11, including an exit port coupled with said housing for withdrawing the liquid exiting from said sampler tube and moving through said housing for exiting from said exit port.
 14. The sampling valve according to claim 1, including means associated with said housing for coupling thereof to a tank in which the liquid is to be sampled, said last-mentioned means having an opening for passage therethrough of the sampling device, and said rotatable ball being movable from a position of said opening to a position closing off said opening.
 15. A sampling tube for use in sampling a liquid or fluid, comprising a tube and a single valve in the tube, a universal movable ball in said tube, and liquid or fluid exit means at one end of said tube having an opening defining an exit port, said liquid or fluid exit means at said one end of said tube including at least two legs extending from said tube having a slot between each said two adjacent legs for the exit of liquid or fluid.
 16. The sampling tube according to claim 15, wherein said exit port includes a plurality of legs and a slot between each pair of adjacent legs.
 17. The sampling tube according to claim 15, including an opening at the other end of said tube free of any closure and a holder for said tube at said other end.
 18. The sampling tube according to claim 15, including a sealing ball seat at said one end of said tube which together with said movable ball closes off said exit port.
 19. A sampling tube for use in sampling a liquid or a fluid, comprising a tube having an opening at each end and a valve characterized in that there is only a single valve in the tube for closing and opening only one end of the tube which comprises a universal movable ball in said tube for closure of only one end of the tube to form a single liquid or fluid entrance and exit device solely at said one end of said tube for defining an opening defining an entrance way and an exit port and free of any closure of said other end of the tube, the liquid or fluid entrance and exit device at said one end of said tube including at least two legs and a slot between each said two adjacent legs for the exit of liquid or fluid, and a ball stop cross pin connected within said tube to control the extent sand ball moves towards said other end as liquid or fluid enters into said tube through the one end.
 20. The sampling tube according to claim 19, wherein said entrance way and exit port includes a plurality of legs and a slot between each two said adjacent legs.
 21. The sampling tube according to claim 19, including a holder or support for the tube at the other end extending across the tube without closure thereof.
 22. The sampling tube according to claim 19, including a sealing ball seat in said tube at said one end which together with said movable ball closes off said entrance way and exit port. 